Memento box

ABSTRACT

The memento box includes a box-like structure having a floor, opposing sidewalls, and a lid hinged to one of the sidewalls. The lid covers the top of the box and defines a closed interior space within the box. A latch or releasable means is provided to keep the lid in a closed position on the box. A plurality of removable and changeable interfitting partitions form a matrix that is sized to fit within the interior space. The height of the partitions and, hence, the matrix is such that when the partitions are placed in the interior space, a book can be stored in the memento box and the interspace within the box above the partitions is at least one-half inch thick to accommodate the book. In addition, the memento box includes a pocket for retaining flat sheet mementos such as photographs. Preferably, the pocket includes a transparent cover. The pocket is attached to the inboard side of the lid. Additionally, the memento box may include a flat divider plate that is removably but securely disposed on top of the interfitting partitions thereby closing the compartments formed by the partitions. The size of the compartments formed by the interfitting partitions can be changed due to complementary slots in the partitions themselves. The person using the box changes the size of the compartments by removing one partition and interlinking different complementary slots on another partition.

The present invention relates to a specially configured memento boxwhich has interior compartments whose size can be changed, a region forstorage of a book above the compartments and a transparent pocket forholding flat sheet mementos on the inboard side of the closeable lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The storage of mementos customarily presents a problem in that themementos being stored may be different sizes and the mementos may relateto certain memorable developments recorded in a book. In particular,mementos of the birth and development of an infant are often stored indifferent locations. These mementos may include pictures of the infantat birth and at varying stages during development, a baby book in whichthe developmental history of the infant is recorded by the parents orother caretakers, and the storage of other baby mementos such as thebaby's first shoes, first rattle, first fork and spoon, locks of hair,teeth, ribbons and various other mementos that have different sizes andyet are relatively small. There is a need for a memento box that can bealtered by the user such that the compartments in the box can beconfigured to store mementos of different sizes, that can store a bookthat records memorable occasions and provide storage for flat sheetmementos, such as photographs.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a speciallyconfigured memento box that has changeable compartments therein, spacefor a book at least one-half inch thick, and a pocket for flat sheetmementos such as photographs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide compartmentswhose size is changed by altering interfitting partitions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a memento boxthat includes a divider plate generally closing the compartments andseparating the memento compartments from a separate storage area for thememento book wherein the flat divider plate is placed above the mementocompartments.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a pocketwith a transparent cover such that the flat sheet mementos, such asphotographs, can be stored therein and viewed when the lid of the box isopen.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a memento boxthat is relatively compact in shape such that the mementos, the book,and the photographs can be stored in one compact unit on a shelf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The memento box includes a box-like structure having a floor, opposingsidewalls, and a lid hinged to one of the sidewalls. The lid covers thetop of the box and defines a closed interior space within the box. Alatch or releasable means is provided to keep the lid in a closedposition on the box. A plurality of removable and changeableinterfitting partitions form a matrix that is sized to fit within theinterior space. The height of the partitions and, hence, the matrix issuch that when the partitions are placed in the interior space, a bookcan be stored in the memento box and the interspace within the box abovethe partitions is at least one-half inch thick to accommodate the book.In addition, the memento box includes a pocket for retaining flat sheetmementos such as photographs. Preferably, the pocket includes atransparent cover. The pocket is attached to the inboard side of thelid. Additionally, the memento box may include a flat divider plate thatis removably but securely disposed on top of the interfitting partitionsthereby closing the compartments formed by the partitions. The size ofthe compartments formed by the interfitting partitions can be changeddue to complementary slots in the partitions themselves. The personusing the box changes the size of the compartments by removing onepartition and interlinking different complementary slots on anotherpartition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found inthe detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the memento box constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the memento box showing the interfittingpartitions being removed from the interior space of the box;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the complementary slots on a pair ofpartition plates;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the memento box with the flatdivider plate disposed therein; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the releasable latch mechanism for thedivider plates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a memento box that is particularlydesigned and constructed to provide changeable and removableinterfitting partitions, to provide for the storage of a book at leastone-half inch thick above the partitions, a flat sheet memento pocket onthe inboard side of the lid, and other features that are describedherein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective of memento box 10. Box 10 includes floor 12 andsidewalls 14, 16, 18 and 20. The sidewalls extend upward from floor 12.Box 10 also includes lid 22 that has a ceiling 24 and depending lidsidewalls 26, 28, 30 and 32. Lid 22 is hinged to sidewall 20 by a pairof hinges, one of which is hinge 34.

A pocket means 36 for retaining flat sheet mementos is attached to theinboard side of lid ceiling 24. As used herein, the term "inboard"refers to items closer to the interior of box 10. The term "outboard"refers to items disposed further away from the interior of box 10.Accordingly, pocket means 36 is disposed on the inside or inboardsurface of lid ceiling 24. In the illustrated embodiment, pocket means36 includes four pockets, one of which is pocket 40. The illustratedembodiment has four pockets which together comprise pocket means 36.Each pocket has a cover such as cover 42 for pocket 40. Pocket cover 42is made of a transparent material such that a flat sheet memento, suchas a photograph, can be inserted in the direction shown by arrow A intopocket 40 and be viewable to the user when lid 22 is open. These flatsheet mementos can be photographs, baby announcements, weddingannouncements, or anything that is essentially flat. In the preferredembodiment, the entire pocket means 36 is made of a transparent plasticmaterial that is glued or affixed to the inside of lid ceiling 24.

One of the unique features of the memento box is the removable andchangeable interfitting partitions. FIG. 2 illustrates interfittedpartition matrix 50 removed from interior space 52 of box 54. Theremovability of interfitted partition matrix 50 is an important featureof the present invention. Interfitted partition matrix 50 is formed by aplurality of partition plates which are, in the present invention,plates 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62. Each plate has a plurality of half-heightslots therein. For example, plate 62 has half-height slots 64, 66, 68,70, 72, and 74. Partition plates 54, 56 and 58 have complementaryhalf-height slots that are interfit into slots 66, 70 and 74 ofpartition plate 62.

FIG. 3 illustrates the principle of interfitting the half-height slots.In that figure, partition plate 80 has half-height slot 82 formed in itslower region. Partition plate 84 has half-height slot 86 formed in itsupper region. Slot 82 interfits with slot 86 such that when plate 80 islinked or joined with plate 84, the total height of both interfittedplates equals the height of a single partition plate. Of course, theheight of slots 82 and 86 can be changed as long as when the pair ofinterfitted plates are joined or interfit together, the total height ofthe joined plates is not substantially greater than the height of asingle plate. Accordingly, when two or more partition plates areinterfit together, those plates form a matrix of compartments. In FIG.1, matrix 50 defines a plurality of compartments, one of which iscompartment 90. Additionally, the partitions can be held in the matrixby a key and keyway lock system in the slots, by a rotating slot coverplate, by clips attached to the interfit corners of the partitions andother by other means.

The size of compartment 90 can be easily changed by the user inaccordance with the principles of the present invention. In theillustrated embodiment, partition plate 60 includes a number ofhalf-height slots, two of which are slots 92 and 94. The size ofcompartment 90 can be changed by simply lifting partition plate 54,thereby removing that partition plate from slots 66 and 92 of partitionplates 62 and 60, and then interfitting plate 54 into slots 68 and 94 ofplates 62 and 60. Preferably, the longitudinally extending partitionplates 60 and 62 have a reasonable number of half-height slots and thelaterally extending partition plates 54, 56 and 58 also include areasonable number of half-height slots that are complementary to theslots in longitudinal partitions 60 and 62. Accordingly, thelongitudinal aspect of compartment 90 can be changed as well as thelatitudinal aspect thereof. The complete removability of interfittedpartition matrix 50 enables the user to quickly and easily change thesize of the compartments. This is an important feature of the presentinvention because mementos come in varying sizes. For example, there aremany sizes for a baby's rattle. On the other hand, there is a typicalsize for a baby's first pair of shoes. When various types of mementos,such as baby shoes, baby rattles, baby forks and spoons, hair, teeth,etc. are to be stored in the memento box, the removability andchangeability of the interfitted partitions is an important featurebecause the size of the memento compartments can be changed toaccommodate mementos of different sizes.

Another important feature of the present invention is the height h ofthe partitions with respect to either the total height of the interiorspace 52 or, more importantly, the height of an interspace immediatelyabove compartment matrix 50 which is identified as height x in FIG. 1.Height x must be at least one-half inch in order for the user to store abook atop the compartments defined by matrix 50. The storage of a book,mementos, and flat sheet mementos in a single memento box is animportant feature. Preferably, height x is about one inch to one andone-half inches.

The overall dimensions of the memento box are also important. The box ispreferably sized such that it can be stored on a book shelf.Accordingly, the memento box should be generally less than 13" along itslongitudinal aspect, less than 12" along its latitudinal aspect, and nomore than 4" in total height (h+x).

When lid 22 is in a closed position, the peripheral portions of the lid(those peripheral portions formed by lid sidewalls 26, 28, 30 and 32)are adjacent the top edges of sidewalls 14, 16, 18 and 20. Box 10 alsoincludes a releasable means for latching and keeping lid 22 closed atopbox 10. Latch 101 on sidewall 16 is a clasp that cooperates with hook103 on lid sidewall 32. Clasp 101 is on the outboard side or exterior ofsidewall 16 and the hook 103 is on the outboard or exterior side of lidsidewall 32.

In order to keep the mementos in the compartments defined by matrix 50,a divider plate 110, shown in FIG. 4, can be utilized. Preferably,divider plate 110 is transparent such that the user can see the mementosas he or she reads the book describing, for example, the developmentalhistory of the infant. If the memento box is used for a wedding, a smallwedding album can be stored in interspace 112, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,and the various wedding mementos such as garter belts, party favors,bridesmaids' and bridegroom's gifts can be stored in the compartmentswhile the wedding book is reviewed by the user. In order to keeptransparent divider plate securely retained within box 114, a keepermeans or latch 116 is utilized.

The transparent divider plate 110 serves two purposes. First, it closesthe open tops of the compartments that are defined by matrix 50. Thisclosure ensures that the mementos are securely retained in thecompartments. Secondly, divider plate 110 separates the compartmentsfrom interspace 112. The book is stored within interspace 112.Accordingly, the interspace must be large enough to hold a book. Theinterspace must be at least one-half inch high. The size of theinterspace may be expanded by increasing the height of lid sidewalls 26,28, 30 and 32 since the book storage area includes not only the regionimmediately atop the divider plate 110, but also the interior spacedefined by lid ceiling 24 and the various sidewalls. However, sufficientspace must be set aside for flat sheet mementos stored in pocket means36.

FIG. 5 illustrates latch 116 that includes arms 118 and 120 whichprohibit upward movement of divider plate 110 when the plate is placedatop the matrix of compartments. Divider plate 110 is retained in midregion 122 of the box by the matrix of partitions, one of which ispartition 124 in FlG. 5, and latch 116. To remove divider plate 110, theuser rotates keeper 116 such that arms 118 and 120 are verticallydisposed. The divider plate can be vertically raised by passing latch116 through cutout 126 in the plate. A similar latch and cutout system(not shown) is located on the opposing sidewall of the box. The dividerplate may have finger holes therethrough such that the user can easilyleft the plate by the finger holes (not shown).

It should be appreciated that the latch mechanism for the box proper canbe constructed in many ways as is known to persons of ordinary skill inthe art. The particular configuration of a transparent divider plate,pockets attached to the inside of lid 24 having transparent covers, thechangeable and removable interfitted partitions forming a matrix andhence, forming compartments, and the particular low level height of thepartition matrix all operate together to provide a unique box for thestorage of mementos.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changeswithin the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memento box comprising:an open top box-likestructure having a floor, opposing sidewalls extending upwards from thefloor; a lid hinged to one of said sidewalls of said open top structureand sized to cover and close the open top of said box-like structure; aninterior space defined within said box-like structure which is closedwhen peripheral portions of said lid are placed adjacent a top edge ofall of said sidewalls; releasable means for keeping the lid in a closedposition adjacent the top edges of said sidewalls; a plurality ofremovable and changeable interfitting partitions, said interfittingpartitions forming a matrix sized to fit within said interior space ofsaid box-like structure, the height of all of the partitions being lessthan the height of said interior space such that when said interfittingpartitions are disposed within said interior space and said lid closessaid interior space, an interspatial void is formed above top edges ofsaid interfitting partitions and below an imaginary plane defined bysaid top edge of all of said sidewalls, said interspatial void beinglarge enough to hold at least a one-half inch thick book therein; aremovable, transparent divider plate sized to fit over said interfittingpartitions when said partitions are disposed in said interior space,said divider plate defining a floor for said interspatial void; and, atleast one transparent pocket sized to fully cover and retain aphotograph therein, said pocket being affixed to an interior surface ofsaid lid and being viewable when said lid uncovers said interior of saidlid and being viewable when said lid uncovers said interior space andinterspatial void, thereby permitting simultaneous viewing of saidphotograph and the entire matrix and mementos stored therein.
 2. Amemento box as claimed in claim 1 including a divider plate keeper meansfor removably retaining said divider plate atop said interfittingpartitions.
 3. A memento box as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidinterfitting partitions include a plurality of plates, each plate havinga plurality of slots, said plates being interfit together byinterlocking complementary slots on respective plates to form saidmatrix of interfitting partitions, said matrix forming compartments whensaid interfitting partitions ar placed in said interior space, the sizeof said compartments being changeable due to the number of slots perplate and the number of interlocking complementary slots on respectiveplates.